FERRIDAY &8212; Ferriday may rehire its former head of the sewer and sanitation department to manage the town&8217;s waste-water treatment plant.

Mayor Gene Allen said he would propose to the board of alderman, contracting William McKeel to manage the town&8217;s wastewater treatment plant at the next meeting, Tuesday.

Allen said that he advertised for a new head of the town&8217;s sewage and sanitation department three weeks ago, but McKeel was the only person who applied.

&8220;He will be good for our city and I&8217;m thankful that he offered to come back and help us,&8221; Allen said.

McKeel, 62, said he started work for the town on May 1, 1991 and retired Dec. 1, 2005 but officially stepped down from the position in April.

McKeel recently worked for the town of Waterproof managing the town&8217;s sewer system, but wanted to come back to Ferriday, he said.

&8220;I feel good about helping out because it&8217;s my hometown,&8221; McKeel said.

&8220;I don&8217;t want to retire and just run off.&8221;

If rehired, McKeel said he would only work full-time on weekends managing the town&8217;s pumping stations, sewer treatment plant and report to Allen on the condition of the sewage system.

&8220;If anything goes wrong with the day-to-day operations they (the mayor&8217;s office) will contact me and I&8217;ll work it out,&8221; McKeel said.

&8220;I&8217;m always a phone call away.&8221;

Allen said the town already employs Ray Bruin as the supervisor for the sewer and sanitation department, but Bruin&8217;s contract expires next year and he did not submit another application.

Allen also said the town would hire two people to train under McKeel so they can operate the department during the week.

&8220;We&8217;ll probably pay them about $6.30 an hour until we get them trained and certified, then we&8217;ll increase their pay,&8221; Allen said.